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CONGRATULATIONS on achieving the status of Premium School in 2022 and for your commitment to excellence!!!
Gracie Barra Blacktown City is proud and very honoured to have the School Certification Program 2022 and we have achieved the status of Premium School for two years now, continuing our commitment to excellence! WE ARE GRACIE BARRA!
Join us in April and celebrate our 35th anniversary!!!
The first 35 students to sign up will get the first four weeks of training for $35 per week!!!
There has never been a better time to start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with us!
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Gracie Barra Blacktown City
045 222 1882
Unit 1/1 Melissa Place Kings Park (Blacktown City)
http://www.gbblacktowncity.com.au
info@gbblacktowncity.com.au
Instagram: @gbblacktowncity
“Tough times don’t last, tough people do!”
Keep fighting the good fight!!!
JIU JITSU FOR EVERYONE
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If you want to get good at Jiu Jitsu there is one thing that is important. To be your best at anything you only really need one thing and that is DISCIPLINE.
The only thing you need to get good at Jiu Jitsu.
If you want to get good at Jiu Jitsu there is one thing that is important. To be your best at anything you only really need one thing and that is DISCIPLINE. Without discipline you will never fully achieve your best. There are two types of discipline: the kind that stops you doing something you know is not good for you and you know you shouldn’t do and the kind that gets you to do something you know is good for you and you know you should do. Discipline turns wants into musts. You must train instead of you want to train. Yes, wanting to train is great but that allows laziness to creep in and might make you not want to train. Discipline makes it a must. We all know that often it is getting to training that is the hardest battle with ourselves. That’s why we turn our goal into a must do instead of a want to do.
To maintain a reasonable level of improvement in Jiu Jitsu it is best to train at least twice a week. Of course more is better but for the average person it is achievable to aim for two or three classes a week. Once you have set that goal use discipline to never miss a class you can attend until you have your two or three classes a week completed. There will always be family events, emergencies, work, sickness and life in general that will, and would stop you from training and that is normal. That’s why it is good to have the discipline to never miss a class you can attend. The day before each class have the discipline to get your gear ready. Make sure you have the rash guard and gi and you know where your water bottle is. That discipline will save you time and stress if you are running late on training day.
You may sometimes need discipline to watch the techniques being taught. It is easy to let your mind wander and lose focus and only snap out of it when the instructor says, "I will show one last time." You will definitely need discipline to control your natural urge to power out of positions or to panic when put in a tough spot. We all rely on discipline to control our emotions so we don’t lash out after being beaten and we all need our training partners to show discipline to respect when we tap. If you concentrate on discipline and turn wants into musts you will be surprised how much more you can achieve in your life. Don’t let yourself or those around you down.
At Gracie Barra we are all part of a local, national and international team. Our discipline builds competency. Competency builds confidence. Competency and confidence builds success.
"The art of jiu jitsu is actuallly a method through which one strives for self-perfection."
Why you should train with the scariest person in the Academy:
When you ask the average person to describe the person they are the most scared of in a self defense situation you will get the usual list of suspects. People are generally scared of the huge guy, the drunk guy, the tattooed person hiding in the dark alley, or the drug affected crazy person lashing out randomly. It is easy to understand these stereotypical ‘scary people’ would be a concern to the average person on the street. Those people described all possess attributes that people are afraid of. However if you ask people in a Jiu Jitsu Academy who they are scared of they would mention the agile person, the flexible person, that small person you just cant grab, and sometimes even the older looking lady who has trained for many years. In some Academies they will even mention the person missing a limb or two limbs. So why would you train Jiu Jitsu when it actually adds to the people you will be scared of? The aim of training Jiu Jitsu isnt to teach you there are lots of scary people out there. Jiu Jitsu will teach you that you can use techniques to control and sometimes even submit those ‘scary people’ to a point when one day people will talk about you as being one of the academy’s ‘scary people’.
The good news is that if you have started training you are on your way from scared to scary. Just starting Jiu Jitsu can be a challenge. As soon as you can look for the ‘scariest’ person (in your eyes) and train with them as often as you can. Not only will you learn that the person isn’t actually scary at all, you will also learn that you are capable of dealing with what they give you. You will learn that even the toughest looking opponent has weaknesses and even fears too. By facing your fears and looking for the biggest challenge you will learn more than just techniques, you will begin to learn how to deal with fear and apprehension. That skill is so important in Jiu Jitsu and life itself. There will always be things to be fearful of but avoiding them is not always possible or desirable. Dealing with them is often the best way forward. The more you voluntarily stand up to face these challenges the stronger you become and more of the best of you shows through. Master Carlos Gracie Jrn said, "The art of jiu jitsu is actuallly a method through which one strives for self-perfection."
If you want to develop an all-round game seek out the biggest, the strongest, the smallest, the weakest and everyone in between. They can all help you because they all offer different challenges. Develop a Jiu Jitsu game that works on all varieties on body shapes and sizes and don’t be surprised if that smaller weaker looking person, gives you a hard time.
Why should I train with someone smaller and weaker than me?
The longer you train in Jiu Jitsu the more you will hear new people asking why they should train with smaller weaker people. This makes sense because so many people start Jiu Jitsu to learn self defence and they are not worried about being attacked by a smaller, weaker looking opponent. If you are much stronger and much heavier than your training partner you may not feel the "challenge" of possible defeat and therefore not want to "waste" the time.
The action heroes, super heroes and movie martial artists have a lot to answer for. The idea that as a powerful person with great skill you can destroy any opponent is the ideal many people are looking for when they start a martial art. High, fast spinning kicks and powerful punches look great but rely heavily on you being the stronger, fitter and faster person. They also lack the ability to vary their intensity. What if you are faced with someone you care about or someone you are actually caring for, and you have to deal with a violent or aggressive situation. Do you really want to fly in and roundhouse kick your brother, mother, child or perhaps elderly dementia patient you are in charge of? These powerful techniques are not much good when you don’t want to destroy or hurt your opponent. Jiu Jitsu is about control. Of course it can be aggressive and choke people and damage limbs but it can also be used to hold people in positions and wear them out. In this day and age there are cameras everywhere and it is helpful to have a skill where you can deal with a situation without hurting your opponent or yourself. Many law enforcement officers and health care providers look to Jiu Jitsu to provide them with skills to deescalate a situation without damaging force. A struggling patient who doesn’t have control of their actions can be very dangerous even if they are small but deserve to be treated with respect and with nonviolent response. A drunk relative who is aggressive doesn’t need a side kick to the head to quieten them down. Jiu Jitsu can defuse these types of situations and this skill is great to practice on smaller people in class.
It is rare that you will always be the biggest and strongest in class and sooner and later someone bigger will come in and question why they would train with you. Smaller members in the class need bigger opponents to practise on too. Rolling with a smaller person is a different skill because they can often fit into gaps bigger people can’t find. They help tighten your game and help you develop finesse your techniques. They can also offer advice and add to your game. Jiu Jitsu is a sport where you need to give to your training partners to develop. The student who just smashes and takes will find it hard to find training partners and even harder to develop because they are relying on the attributes they walked in with. Those around them who learn the techniques will soon find a way to overcome the size and strength advantage.
If you want to develop an all-round game seek out the biggest, the strongest, the smallest, the weakest and everyone in between. They can all help you because they all offer different challenges. Develop a Jiu Jitsu game that works on all varieties on body shapes and sizes and don’t be surprised if that smaller weaker looking person, gives you a hard time. That happens a lot.
The only people who get Black Belts are Brown Belts. To get a Brown Belt you have to be a Purple Belt. Only Blue Belts get Purple Belts and to get a Blue Belt you have to start with a White Belt. Each of the belts along the way are rewarding and bring their own set of challenges but you should see them as stepping stones to the goal of Black Belt. The Black Belt itself is not the ultimate destination, it is part of the journey.
Thoughts Journey from White Belt to Black Belt
There is an old saying in martial arts that “A Black Belt is a White belt who never quit.” This is so true in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Getting a Black Belt is simple, just don’t quit, keep turning up to class. It is simple, but certainly not easy. We get disheartened and our discipline is tested almost every class we go to. We can walk in feeling great and leave wondering why we are doing this. It is physically, mentally and spiritually exhausting. Jiu Jitsu has a way of tearing down your defences and exposing your true self in such a way that most people can't stay with it long enough to get their Black Belt.
Physically, Jiu Jitsu tests you because you are learning new ways to move your body and other people are putting you in positions that you won’t find comfortable, to start with. Keep coming and you will realise those positions don’t last, the techniques to recover do work, and it is just a phase you have to go through, again and again and again. Every time you feel confident in a position someone will come along and put you back almost where you started from. The body gets used to the physical demands of Jiu Jitsu quick enough, it is the mind and spirit that takes longer. White belts spend a lot of time resisting submissions and fighting to win positions. That is normal and understandable. It is once the white belt understands the goal of training is to learn, that they begin to improve faster. Accepting that learning is more important than winning is an important mindset we stress at Gracie Barra. It is possible to beat a much smaller opponent of the same skill level just through size and strength. You will find it a lot harder against a smaller skilled opponent if you have not understood the techniques and relied on winning at all costs when training.
It takes a mental, and some would say spiritual change to become a Black Belt. This change is why so many people say Jiu Jitsu changed their lives. It is highly doubtful a take down or an arm bar changed someone’s life but the mental and spirit change can be enormous and lead to significant changes in the way the challenges of life are seen. We can’t use physical techniques to solve all of our problems but the mental toughness, resilience and ability to see other ways of doing things can be a benefit from training Jiu Jitsu. The training shows you that often the instinctive reaction we have to a situation is not the best way to handle it especially if you don’t want to exhaust yourself, hurt yourself, or hurt the other person involved. This is a skill that can, and should be, transferred into everyday life when we face opposition and difficulties. It is not always a good idea to win at all costs.
The journey to Black Belt and beyond will push you down, sometimes you get up yourself and sometimes those around you help you up. There will be times when it is you who helps other people up, because no one travels alone. Those who helped you, and those you helped, are all part of your journey and vital in achieving a Black Belt.
Remember, the only people who get Black Belts are Brown Belts. To get a Brown Belt you have to be a Purple Belt. Only Blue Belts get Purple Belts and to get a Blue Belt you have to start with a White Belt. Each of the belts along the way are rewarding and bring their own set of challenges but you should see them as stepping stones to the goal of Black Belt. The Black Belt itself is not the ultimate destination, it is part of the journey.
Returning to training after a break...
We are all looking at coming back to full training after a long break. Anyone who has trained for a while will have experienced what its like to return to training after having a break. Life sometimes gets in the way, jobs, injuries, holidays and lately, illnesses can force us to take a break from full training. There are some points to consider when you are unable to train fully that will help you get back to training at a level close to what you were at before the break.
We are lucky at Gracie Barra that we have an incredible amount of online resources to use to keep us connected and to keep progressing our learning. These online resources are very helpful during our normal training and vital when we are not able to make it to the Academy to train. Whenever you are forced to take a break you should use these online resources to keep up with the class.
Online training and classes are a great way to stay in touch with instructors, team members and the techniques. However, the longer you take a break from full training the more you need to think about how you will return. Jiu Jitsu is a physical sport and it requires a particular type of fitness and timing to execute the moves well. Your level of fitness and timing will reduce overtime if you miss classes. The good news is that fitness and timing will return much quicker than it took you to get them. Be patient and ease back into it. To avoid physical injuries it is best to take your return slowly and not to expect to return to full speed training the first time back. Starting back slowly will keep you able to train again sooner and get you back into your pre-break form quicker.
Even though most people expect the body will take at least a few classes to get back into it they don’t often consider the mental side of training. It can be frustrating to be at training and not being able to do the same things you used to do. This is even more noticeable if other students have been training and those you used to handle well are now giving you trouble. Be prepared for this frustration and accept it as an important part of Jiu Jitsu. It is not you, it is normal and everyone goes through it.
The physical and mental pressure of returning to training is well worth it to be back on the mats with your friends and doing something for yourself you know is good.
Although we are separated we are connected...We are not just a TEAM, but a FAMILY!!!
WE ARE GRACIE BARRA!!! STRONGER TOGETHER!!!
Tough times and Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu
They say a true test of a person’s character is how they act under pressure.
Jiu Jitsu gives us the chance to find out how we act under physical pressure. It also gives us the chance to learn how to get better at handling that physical pressure. To those who are watching they can see the physical pressure and can see how we learn to adapt to the way the pressure is being placed on us. What they can’t see is how our brain and our emotions are also developing through the training we do. Jiu Jitsu is constantly challenging us mentally just as much as physically. As our body adapts to the movements and demands of Jiu Jitsu so too is our ability to handle pressure both physically and emotionally. The changes we experience are not just noticeable on the mats. We can, and do, take these skills with us everywhere we go. We hopefully are unlikely to need the physical techniques learned through Jiu Jitsu but we can definitely benefit from the physical fitness and the new mental and emotions coping skills it creates.
Throughout history people have gathered themselves in groups, tribes and teams to help achieve more than they could by themselves. People who were like minded, similar desires and values would work together towards a common goal but also be there to support each other. Sometimes, when the going get tough we really need help. A problem shared is a problem halved. In Gracie Barra we have literally tens of thousands of people world wide who can help make the biggest problem a lot smaller and easier to handle by sharing their experiences and knowledge. Just as we did for centuries people have shared common challenges and difficulties. If you need help, the best way to deal with these issues is to share your experience. By sharing your thoughts, fears and triumphs you can help, inspire, motivate and save another person. We know what Gracie Barra stands for brotherhood, integrity and expansion and these values are worth following to help each other be the best we can be.
Although we are separated we are connected. Now more than ever we have access to people throughout Australia and around the word, people who have travelled the journey we are on and had great success and learned much from their failures. We can reach out to them, attend online classes and interact with fellow Gracie Barra students like never before. In tough times the bigger, more experienced, and more focussed the group is the better they will emerge from the challenge. We have much to deal with but we have many Red Shield team members to help us.
We cannot allow this pandemic to prevent us from continuing to work towards our mission of bringing Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone. We understand that, especially in times like this, you and your family need Jiu-Jitsu to stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
We are super excited to bring the Gracie Barra Virtual learning experience to you and your family. We are joining forces with GB Online to provide a wide array of Jiu-Jitsu learning experiences along with using effective digital learning platforms that will include:
You will be credited for attendance while learning virtually through a curriculum-based test when you return to regular group classes.
While the Covid-19 outbreak develops, we will continue to adapt to bring Jiu-Jitsu to your daily life while keeping your health and safety our top priority.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers a lot of unique experiences that trigger rich, subtle, and fulfilling psychological changes in its students — these are changes that promote positive transformation and keep people coming back to the mats to be the very best version of themselves.
Dr David Ley is a Psychologist and Gracie Barra Black Belt training in Texas. Writing in Psychology Today he discusses the psychological and biological effects of training in BJJ. He says. “Without knowing it, students of BJJ offer each other a powerful, affirming, accepting, and biologically-mediated experience, simply through the body-to-body contact that occurs throughout BJJ. Such contact triggers the release of neurochemicals in our brain and hormones throughout our body, which make us more aware, focused, and connected. Oxytocin is one hormone often called the “cuddle” or “empathy” hormone, which is released in the body during such physical contact. It is likely one reason why friendships develop so quickly and deeply amongst BJJ students.”
“The nature of competition and survival triggers other intense psychological and physiological changes. In such situations, our brains and bodies react, preparing us to flee or fight, but also to be very alert. Norepinephrine, adrenaline, and cortisol flood our bodies and synapses, decreasing our reaction times, increasing our heart rate and respiration, and enhancing our focus and awareness.”
Dr Ley goes into detail about the positive effects of exercise, he says, “During intense exercise, our brain also releases a protein called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, or BDNF. This protein protects and repairs neural tissue, and yields a powerful feeling of euphoria. BDNF is one of the sources of the “runner’s high,” that feeling of elation and satisfaction that often follows intense exercise. The effects of this protein, and the enhanced activity of our brains after such strenuous exercise help us to be more energized and focused, in positive spirits through the rest of the day.” He also mentions other benefits of training Jiu Jitsu, “The powerful experiences of BJJ are not related solely to biological effects though. BJJ offers a never-ending feast of self-improvement, where one can measure their accomplishments daily, both against self, and against others.
The sense of belonging to something bigger than just yourself is a powerful thing. As a Jiu Jitsu student and Gracie Barra team member you can not only improve yourself by training Jiu Jitsu but you can help others achieve their goals. This comradery multiplies the benefits of Jiu Jitsu because you can experience them yourself then many other times through the experience of the people you train with and support in competitions. The Gracie Barra team across the world is ready to help you achieve your goals and to prepare you to help others in the team achieve their goals.
Each New Year many people make resolutions to make their lives better.
Why starting Jiu Jitsu should be your New Years resolution???
Each New Year many people make resolutions to make their lives better. The common top 3
resolutions each year are:
Lose weight
Exercise more
Learn something new
Sadly most people fail their resolution by the start of February. There are some reasons for
this. People often join a gym, buy a treadmill, promise themselves to jog or get a bike. All
these activities require you to pick a time and go. That is so easy to break because you get
busy, distracted and vow to go soon, or another time but that doesn’t happen. Losing weight
and exercising without a structured timetable allows too much flexibility for the average
person to succeed. Having a structured time you need to be at training and set days really
helps remove the distractions of time taking you away from your goals. Your mind will
orientate you toward your goals if they are specific. If you know you need to be at training at
6pm you will arrange things around that. If you plan to train sometime tomorrow, it is easier
to miss that vague goal.
Many exercising activities can get boring and hard to maintain interest in over time unless
you are one of the lucky ones who has steel like discipline. Jiu Jitsu is very dynamic and
constantly challenges the mind and body by requiring new positions and strategies when
training. The nature of training Jiu Jitsu also means you will meet new people who you will
engage with and they soon become friends who make coming to training more enjoyable. No
one at a Jiu Jitsu gym trains with earphone in listing to music. Everyone is actually talking to
each other. The best exercise is the one you can keep doing because you can vary the
intensity, it is exciting and it is structured. The belt system in Jiu Jitsu also lets you set goals
and track your progress. Great news too is you don’t need to be fit, strong, flexible, young,
old or be an athlete. Anyone can train Jiu Jitsu.
Learning something new keeps our brain active and helps develop us as a person. Jiu Jitsu
introduce new movements and shows how to efficiently use your
body to its best effect. Wether you want to train for weight loss, fitness, self defence or
competition, the training will help you achieve all these goals and you will find it teaches you
far more than you expect. I wish I started earlier is something we hear all the time in Jiu Jitsu
gyms.
Take the step now for a better you in the future. Come and watch a class, do an introduction
class or email the team at Gracie Barra Blacktown City to ask any question you have. NOW is the time!!!
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is so popular and it is one of the fastest growing fighting arts in the world.
For many people it is a way of life and the benefits you can gain from jiu jitsu are both physical and mental.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or BJJ as it is often called has become very popular and addictive for so many
people. Its popularity has increased as more and more celebrities begin training. Keanu Reeves, Kate
Upton, Demi Lovato, Ashton Kutcher, Russel Brand all train and post about their experience. Modern
Family actor Ed O’Neil is a Jiu Jitsu Black Belt!
As well as teaching effective self defence techniques and improving overall fitness, BJJ offers many
unique experiences that promote positive transformation and keep people coming back to the mats.
One of the things that you will notice different when training in BJJ is the fact that from day one,
the first time you step on the mat, you are grappling face-to-face, body-to-body, with another
person. This is at the core of BJJ, which attempts to apply these skills in real-world defence
situations. From the beginning of training, students of BJJ learn to experience what these skills are
like, used by, and against, people with varying degrees of skill, strength, and technique.
As society becomes more and more digital, online and on phones, and less about face to face
meeting and connecting with other people, there is the feeling that we are missing something. It is
the constant physical contact in BJJ which many believe is one of the most powerful forces driving
the BJJ experience. Many people today are starved for physical contact. It is a sad fact that many
people go through each day only experiencing a few handshakes as their only experiences of touch
from other people. BJJ is one sport where you can be effective without being super fit, strong, big or
gifted athletically and it can be done by anyone. Some call it chess with humans or active physical
meditation but they all agree that BJJ provides far more than just self defence moves to those who
train. Once you have your uniform on you could be young, old, rich, poor, unemployed, a student, a
mother, a child, it doesn’t matter. BJJ unites us all and gives us the chance to interact physically with
others in a way that we all benefit.
"One woman can make a difference, but together we can rock the world!!!"
FREE self-defence program for WOMEN!!!
Not long now for the Women in Charge Program at Gracie Barra Blacktown City:
Nov 18 - 7.30pm 20 - 7pm 22 - 7pm 25 - 7.30pm 27 - 7pm
🔺Women In Charge Campaign for 2019 🔺
This is a five day program for FREE to provide some self-defence training for the women in our community.
Share this with your family and friends. If you know someone who would like to participate please let us know!
Thanks a lot!!!
🔺 Gracie Barra Blacktown City🔺 📞 045 222 1882 📍Unit 1/1 Melissa Place Kings Park (Blacktown City) 🖥 http://www.gbblacktowncity.com.au 📧 info@gbblacktowncity.com.au Instagram: @gbblacktowncity
🔺🔴#GBBlacktownCity🔴🔺 #graciebarra #gb #jiujitsuforeveryone #equipegb #gb72
#gboceania#redshield #blacktown #jiujitsu #bjjforlife
#jiujitsu4life #oss#artesuave #blacktownadvocate
#brazilianjiujitsu#blacktowncitycouncil #martialarts
#selfdefence #confidence#discipline #resilience
#nsw #westernsydney
Five reasons why women should train Jiu Jitsu:
1. Its FUN!
2. Self Defence
3. Functional Fitness
4. You will meet new people and become part of a community
5. Confidence
Jiu Jitsu training is fun, it gets you out of the house, your body moving, and keeps your mind active whilst exercising. When you first start training you may be surprised by how much fun and laughter is in each class but the more you train the more you will learn that it is all part of the Jiu Jitsu environment.
Jiu Jitsu is a proven, effectivities form of self defence. It is a true self defence as you don’t strike out against your opponent like most other martial arts that are really self offence styles with kicking and punching. In Jiu Jitsu you don’t have to be strong, faster or fitter than your opponent to be effective. It is also a martial art that people are more likely to use because, let’s face it, some people don’t feel comfortable hitting someone else even if they have to defend themselves, let alone the risk of injuring themselves when doing it. Jiu Jitsu allows you to vary the intensity of your response and control an opponent rather than hurt them.
Jiu Jitsu helps you get functionally fit by getting your body to move and work in a functional manner. The more you train the more your body gets used to moving in an efficient way using your whole body to get a great work out.
One of the unexpected benefits of training Jiu Jitsu is that you get to meet lots of different people from many different backgrounds, ages, careers and interests. There are not many places where you will find a student mixing with a nurse, an accountant, a mother, a police officer all mixing together. Once we put on the uniform and start training the differences we have make way because we share the same training goal.
Having the feeling that you can defend yourself does give confidence but the feeling that you can actually do the moves successfully really builds your confidence. It proves to you that you are capable of doing more than you think. That confidence, together with the way your body feels after training for a while, you take with you every day and in every situation. We hope you never need to use the moves you learn in Jiu Jitsu in a self defence situation but we know you will use the confidence and self esteem that training gives you all the time.
The seemingly endless number of techniques and positional variations in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the things that makes the gentle art very interesting for students of all ages and abilities.
Beginners Guide to Jiu Jitsu – Positional Control
With Jiu Jitsu techniques being used more and more in movies, people are gaining interest in training and learning the moves they have seen. Fans of Keanu Reeves have seen him perform some awesome Jiu Jitsu moves in all the John Wick movies especially the most recent one, John Wick 3. Lethal Weapon 1 in 1987 saw Mel Gibson finish chief bad guy Garry Busey with a triangle. Scarlet Johansson trained Jiu Jitsu to help her fight scenes in the Iron Man and the Avengers movies. All of these cool moves are part of Jiu Jitsu but just like the tip of the iceberg, there is much more below the surface.
When you start Jiu Jitsu, and many times during your training, it is helpful to know exactly what Jiu Jitsu is. On a very basic level, Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that is designed for self-defence and is also practiced in competition that involves throws and ground fighting using techniques and leverage. On a more specific level, Jiu Jitsu is about control and submission. When training, you often hear the saying “position before submission.” The flashy moves you see in the movies only work when you are in a position to do the move. To get in the correct position for any submission you have to get control of your opponent. When you first start Jiu Jitsu you will be frustrated by how easy the more experienced students can stop you from moving, or only allow you to move in a direction that they want you to move.
Control is one of the benefits of Jiu Jitsu as it allows you to vary your level of response to a situation. Unlike striking arts like boxing, kickboxing or karate, you cannot really throw a soft strike that is effective. In Jiu Jitsu there are many positions where you can effectively control and hold someone without causing any damage to either your opponent or yourself. In each of these ‘control’ positions there are countless submissions that can be used. These positions can be ranked in terms of which are better for control. The positions are:
Back Mount - Knee Ride – Mount – Side Control - Guard
If you are in the control positions in the above list, back is the best position. If you are in someone’s back control, that is the worst position to be in. The guard is more of a neutral position with moves available for the person in your guard, and for you if you are in someone else’s guard. Of course there are many moves to escape these positions and some people have developed effective moves from bad positons but they all started by learning the basic positions and respecting that some are better than others.
Your goal as a beginner is to get to the best control position you can and maintain it so you can use a submission without losing control. You should always be looking to maintain, or improve your control position. The flashy cool moves will come in time but most rolls and competitions are finished by the basic control positions and fundamental techniques.
“The White Belt is a higher rank than sitting on the lounge.”
The White Belt – Courage
Whenever you feel discouraged about starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or having a White Belt remember the saying, “The White Belt is a higher rank than sitting on the lounge.”
The White Belt is the most important belt in any martial art. Without a White Belt there would never be a Blue, Purple, Brown or Black Belt. The White Belt is also one of the hardest belts to get because you have to begin something new, somewhere new, with new people and accept there is something you don’t know. That is why we say the BJJ White Belt represents courage, the courage to begin something new and the willingness to be a student. It takes courage to earn your White Belt. The White belt isn’t just given to you, you have to get off the lounge, go into the gym and get it.
To earn your White Belt you have to face your fears of being the new person. You have to accept that you need to start from the bottom again no matter where you are in your life. You have to accept that there will be many people better than you and that you can actually benefit from what you are going to do. No matter what level of fitness, what age, what gender, what previous experience you have, we all start at the White Belt. There is a popular expression that “a Black Belt is a White Belt who never quit.” That is so true and although the Black Belt may seem so far away, every other coloured belt started as a White Belt.
As you start training you will go through a training curriculum that covers all the positions in Jiu Jitsu. Even though all positions are taught the same to everyone, some moves and techniques will make more sense and feel better to you than others. This is the beginning of finding your game, your way in the Jiu Jitsu martial art. Everybody is different...different fitness, age, attitude, competitiveness, long limbs, short limbs, tall, short, and so many combinations of the above. No matter how you are made up there is a Jiu Jitsu game for you. It just takes time and experiencing the different techniques to find your Jiu Jitsu. Don’t feel bad if the technique being taught that week isn’t working as well for you as others. Have faith that you will find your game. Some techniques and positions will suit you better but you need to know all the positions so you can work out a way to deal with people who play a different game to you.
Join us at Gracie Barra Blacktown City where we have a range of different instructors to WELCOME and HELP you find your game. Oss!!!
You have read or heard about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and now want to give a try. Don’t wait until you get fit because you can do Jiu Jitsu at any fitness level and you will get fit while you are doing Jiu Jitsu. Here are some tips on what to expect on your first class and what you can do to get the most out of it.
Tips and what to expect on your first day of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Gracie Barra
Before you go in to train for the first time, ring ahead and book in an intro class. Of course, you are welcome to visit anytime but booking in does give the instructor notice you will be coming and they can organise things for you.
Remember, everybody there started where you are now, some were fitter some were not as fit. If you can, ask a friend to come with you, because that can help with nerves and not knowing anyone there. You will be in close contact with other people so make sure you and your clothes are clean, brush your teeth, wear deodorant and cut your fingernails and toenails. Take off your jewellery so it doesn’t break or injure you or anyone else and don’t put on any make up that might rub off on other people. You should wear comfortable clothing that isn’t too hot.
The class will start with students lining up in belt order facing the front on the mats. We then do a warm up that includes some basic Jiu Jitsu movements and other exercises. Don’t rush or feel like you have to do the warm up as well as the person next to you. It will take time for your body to get used to the movements, no one is judging you, you are new. Each week is dedicated to a position that the techniques will focus on. The instructor will demonstrate the moves and you pair up with another student and practise the technique. The self defence technique are followed by specific training where you try the moves you have been shown with different partners. We finish the class with a cool down and lining up like we did at the beginning of the class.
Remember, Jiu Jitsu takes time and you should be aiming to train at least two times a week. To help you do that, try making a friend or two on your first class. Someone who is new like you, similar age, similar interests or someone completely opposite. The more friends you make the more likely you will want to come back and get the benefits of Jiu Jitsu. It will be hard to remember all the things you have seen on your first day but if you can remember some names and faces then the next class will be easier until one day when you see a new person at class and get to help them get through their first day.
Why Gracie Barra?
Jiu Jitsu FOR EVERYONE!!!
Why choose Gracie Barra as a place to train Jiu Jitsu?
To get the most out of learning Jiu Jitsu you really need to train 2-3 times a week, which can add up to a lot of time on the mats and in a gym. When investing that much time you want to be sure the organisation you train with is a place you want to be involved with. Knowing what an organisation stands for is a good way to see if you should spend your time there. Gracie Barra values Brotherhood, Integrity and Development.
As well as aligning with these values you will find all Gracie Barra schools will share the following characteristics:
As Jiu Jitsu increases in popularity there are more and more places offering Jiu Jitsu these days so what should you look for when choosing where to train? Nothing beats going into the gym and watching a class and talking with the instructors and students. Here are 5 suggestions to help you pick which gyms to visit and what to look for.
When you see Jiu Jitsu advertised it is worth investigating what is behind the name. Most Jiu Jitsu gyms are affiliated with a bigger organisation. The bigger the organisation the better the chance that the gym will have access to quality instruction that is updated regularly and in many cases other gyms you can train at when not in your local area. Larger organisations also tend to hold seminars with big names in the sport to help motivate and educate.
A black belt is a good sign that the instructor has been involved in Jiu Jitsu for many years but it doesn’t always mean they will be good instructors for you. Look for who is teaching the classes you can attend, not just the head instructor. Can you relate to the way they teach, is it adaptable to your body type? Are there other instructors there who can help during class? How does the instructor treat the students and how do the students treat the instructor? Is there mutual respect and is the class structured to allow the best possible learning and fun.
An instructor is important but your learning will also depend a lot on the people you train with. Are the students welcoming, considerate and respectful? Do you feel like you fit in? A good gym will have a mix of athletes who want to compete, recreational practitioners, and a mix of ages and body types. Chances are you will feel a little nervous to start with so you want to train at a place where you can trust the people there will look after you.
Is the gym clean? Is it neat? Is there enough room to train without bumping into other people? Is it close to where you live or work? Do they have classes on at times you can make it?
In the end, the best gym for you is the gym where you will train at regularly. To get the most out of your Jiu Jitsu training you should aim to train 2 -3 times a week. Whichever gym you find where you can make that happen is the right gym for you.
Learn about all the benefits Jiu Jitsu can give you!!! Come see us at Gracie Barra Blacktown City!!!
Why Train Jiu Jitsu?
The most popular reason people give for starting Jiu Jitsu is for self-defence. Jiu Jitsu is a great martial art for self-defence for many reasons. It offers a way to defend yourself against a bigger, and stronger opponent as well as giving you skills to control someone without hurting them. “Jiu-jitsu” translates from the Japanese as “the gentle art.”
Jiu Jitsu is great for people looking to improve their fitness and get their bodies moving. Jiu Jitsu is dynamic and also mentally challenging as each training partner provides different resistance and movement requiring you to use every muscle in your body, and your brain to meet the challenge. Jiu Jitsu is a whole body functional fitness workout.
Jiu Jitsu is a great way to help control your weight as you don’t need to be fit to start. You don’t need to be athletic to be good and you don’t need to be big or strong to be effective. You can also train Jiu Jitsu when you are young or old and it is fun.
Self confidence is belief in yourself. You build that belief by putting yourself in difficult situations and finding ways to deal with them. Jiu Jitsu will put you in uncomfortable situations but, it not only teaches you the skills to get out of those uncomfortable situations, but you will become more comfortable whilst in those uncomfortable situations.
Socrates the Ancient Greek philosopher said, “Through discipline comes freedom." If you train consistently enough, and shown the discipline of self-control on the mats to a point where you achieve your 3rdstripe on your white belt, then you get the freedom to roll. The Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu is the ultimate example and evidence of one’s discipline.
Respect is not often something people mention they are looking to start training. You need respect for yourself to actually realise that you are worth it and deserve to be training. Respect that there is a limit that your body can reach but through training you can, and will, stretch and improve that limit.
Come see us at Gracie Barra Blacktown City to learn about all the benefits Jiu Jitsu can give you!!!
Understand why it is best for you to train jiu jitsu as a form of self defence.
The number one reason people give for training Jiu Jitsu is for self-defence. There are many different
martial arts and self defence instruction out there but Jiu Jitsu is arguably the most effective. Don’t
just believe us, look at the success Jiu Jitsu techniques have had in UFC and MMA. In real life self
defence situations it has also proven to be effective. Former Navy Seal Jocko Willinc, who received
the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service in the Iraq War, talked about self defence and said, “I
say that you should learn jiu-jitsu first; it should be the first martial art you learn to defend yourself.”
Yes, striking arts such as boxing, kickboxing and karate can be useful in some self defence situations
but they offer little in terms of a variety of response intensity. A punch in the face or a kick to the
head is not always the best response to an incident. Sometimes you only want to stop the attacker
causing you harm and you certainly never want to hurt yourself when defending yourself. One punch
deaths and serious injuries are well documented and an unwanted consequence of a self defence
altercation. Anyone who has punch anything will also know that it is very easy to hurt yourself even
if you do connect. The major issue with most forms of self-defence is that they rely on you being
stronger, faster, fitter and bigger than your opponent to have the best chance of winning. They also
are not as useful when the fight ends up on the ground as most street fights do.
In contrast to the striking arts, Jiu Jitsu gives you a variety of options to respond to a situation. You
can control an opponent, use joint locks, or even put them to sleep. Jiu Jitsu is designed to allow a
smaller, weaker opponent to control a larger opponent through the use of leverage and body
positioning techniques. In training it is common to see bigger, stronger people being submitted by
more experienced, but smaller and lighter opponents.
There are many reasons to train Jiu Jitsu, such as for fitness, self-confidence, weight loss, and just to
be active but as a method of self defence, it is arguably the best.
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Gracie Barra Blacktown City caters to everyone! We have classes for men, women and children of all ages and sizes, so you will always feel at home! Gracie Barra Blacktown City represents discipline, wellness, family, respect and so much more for anyone wanting to embrace the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle. We are committed to bringing Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone!
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